2/4/2025 (Tuesday) Today’s Gospel reading: Mark 5:21-43

21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
22 One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet
23 and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.”
24 He went off with him and a large crowd followed him.
25 There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
26 She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
27 She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak.
28 She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”
29 Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
30 Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”
31 But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?”
32 And he looked around to see who had done it.
33 The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”
35 While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
36 Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
37 He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James and John, the brother of James.
38 When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.
39 So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.”
40 And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was.
41 He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”
42 The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded.
43 He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

2/4/2025 (Tuesday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Mark 5:21-43

In this Gospel reading, we find two intertwined stories of faith—the healing of a woman who had suffered from a bleeding disorder for twelve years and the raising of Jairus’s daughter from the dead. These miracles reveal the power of Jesus and the depth of faith required to experience His transforming grace.

Jairus, a synagogue leader, was a man of status and influence. Yet, when his daughter was dying, none of his power or position could save her. In desperation, he fell at Jesus’ feet and pleaded earnestly for healing. His act of humility and faith was remarkable. Despite the crowd pressing around Jesus, Jairus believed that if Jesus simply touched his daughter, she would live.

As Jesus went with Jairus, a woman in the crowd seized her moment. For twelve years, she had suffered from continuous bleeding, a condition that made her ceremonially unclean according to Jewish law. She had spent all she had on doctors, yet her condition worsened. But in that moment, she believed—if she could just touch the hem of Jesus’ garment, she would be healed.

With trembling faith, she reached out and touched His cloak. Instantly, her bleeding stopped, and she felt healing in her body. Jesus, sensing that power had gone out from Him, turned and asked, “Who touched me?” The disciples were puzzled, given the crowd pressing around Him. But Jesus knew this was different—this was a touch of faith.

When the woman, fearful and trembling, confessed, Jesus didn’t rebuke her. Instead, He affirmed her faith: “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” He not only healed her physically but restored her spiritually and emotionally, calling her “Daughter”—a term of love and belonging.

Meanwhile, messengers arrived with devastating news: Jairus’s daughter had died. They said, “Why bother the teacher anymore?” But Jesus responded with words of hope: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Upon arriving at Jairus’s house, Jesus found people wailing in mourning. Yet, He declared, “The child is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at Him, but He dismissed the doubters. Taking only a few disciples and the girl’s parents, He entered the room, took her by the hand, and said, “Talitha koum!”—“Little girl, I say to you, get up!” Immediately, she stood up and walked.

Lessons from This Passage
1. Faith transcends human limitations – Jairus and the bleeding woman both faced impossible situations. Yet, faith in Jesus brought healing and restoration.

2. Jesus responds to those who seek Him – The woman pressed through the crowd, and Jairus sought Jesus despite his position. When we reach out in faith, Jesus meets us where we are.

3. God’s timing is perfect – Though Jairus’s daughter seemed beyond hope, Jesus demonstrated His power over death. Delay is not denial; God’s plan is always greater.

Whatever situation you are facing today, take heart. Jesus is still the same miracle-working Savior. Don’t be afraid; just believe.

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